Christmas was only two months after my divorce was filed. It was a terrible time in my life. I was an emotional wreck, my kids were struggling big-time, and I even got a call from my attorney Christmas morning (he’s Jewish) about some major issue with my divorce. Yet, somehow, I had to pull it together to “celebrate” Christmas with my rather large extended family. Celebrating was the last thing I wanted to do. I would have preferred to stay in bed all day and just pretend that Christmas was canceled for that year.

If you can relate, take heart in knowing that Mary and Joseph can, too. Their first Christmas was far from ideal. Joseph was under immense pressure to find a place for him and his nine-month pregnant wife to sleep. They were traveling in an unfamiliar land, at night, on a donkey. To top it all off, Mary was in labor! I have to imagine that neither one was in the best mood, and both were struggling to muster the energy to celebrate the birth of Jesus, even though He was the Savior of the world. Somehow, their faith was strong enough to keep them pushing through and persevering despite the great difficulties they were enduring. In the end, their suffering was rewarded with the greatest gift the world has ever known: Jesus.

Allow the gift of Jesus to overcome whatever challenges you are struggling with this Christmas. Know that your faith in Him will be rewarded, too. The greatest things can come out of the greatest sufferings for those who believe.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1

Originally posted 2014-12-23 06:00:06.